Chapter Text
"So until we meet again, my dear Caelus..." Dan Heng kissed the the dying boy's lips one last time, before they got disintegrated following the Stellaron's explosion.
I pray to the Aeons, that we will meet again in our next life.
~
"Dan Heng, are you alright?" the grey haired girl asked. The Parlor Car's light was dim as the Astral Express had entered its night time schedule. However, Dan Heng could see her face clearly. A gentle look along with a pair of bright yellow eyes which showed worry over him, almost just like him.
Still, that wasn't his Caelus.
Dan Heng, still sitting on the sofa, only gave her a side glance. "I'm fine Stelle. You should go back to sleep." he brushed her off rather coldly.
Stelle looked a bit taken aback by his cold reply, but she still insisted. "But.. I've seen you here for a few days now. You... haven't sleep at all aren't you? Is there something bothering you?"
Ah, how kind and caring she was despite him clearly tried to push her away. Just like him.
But that wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
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That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his Caelus. That wasn't his Caelus.
That wasn't his-
"Dan..Heng?" Stelle callled again. Her voice now sounded a bit scared.
Dan Heng took a deep breathe. Stelle wasn't at fault at all, this was his own problem. He shouldn't let his inner self lash out at her. "Stelle." he said trying his best to calm himself down, though his tone still made the young girl shuddered. "Sometimes people have secrets that they won't share even to their friends. Please understand this Stelle."
"O..ok.. I'm sorry Dan Heng. Then excuse me." Stelle left in a hurry.
Now the dark haired man was alone again. He sighed. Long ago, him and his beloved died. Then, for some reason he went back to the past, but the one he found in Herta's Space Station wasn't Caelus, but a girl named Stelle. Then he died and went back to past again, only to meet with Stelle. Then he died and went back to past again, only to meet with Stelle. Then he died and went back to past again, only to meet with Stelle. Why? Why did he keep coming back to past? Why did he keep meeting Stelle? Where was his beloved, his muse, his love, Caelus? His heart ached in loneliness and his sanity drained as time goes by.
No matter how similar Stelle was to Caelus, she could never replaced him. He tried to care for her, to treat her as a friend, but the thought of Stelle robbing of Caelus' existence just couldn't leave his mind. He wanted Caelus and only him no one else.
So he took out his Cloud Piercer and thrust it deep into his heart.
Please... just let me with Caelus this time.
~
"My what a surprise guest we have here." Kafka chuckled although she was clearly surprised seeing a familiar figure in the dark alley.
Dan Heng slowly walked out of the darkness. Rain pouring down his body, and his soaked clothes were full of mud and blood. His weapon, Cloud Piercer, was gripped tightly on his bruised hand. His eyes were hollow deprived of any life.
"You're Kafka..."
"Yes, it's me." the woman answered while stirring her umbrella, pondering a bit. "Now what-"
"Where's Caelus?"
Kafka's eyes widen a little hearing Dan Heng's question before returning to her smile once again. "This is surprising. How do you know about Caelus' existence?"
The young man teal eyes began to lit up upon hearing Kafka's words. "He.. Caelus exist!? Is he alive?!"
Kafka was silent, observing the man in front of her. Elio never told her about this in the current scenario given to her. The Stellaron Hunter's leader might not tell her some scenario for future plans, but he should have told her about this peculiar encounter no? Not to mention, the dark haired man wasn't even supposed to be here, but on his way with the Astral Express to Jarilo VI according to the other scenario.
"Answer me, Kafka... please... Caelus, is he alive.. please?" Dan Heng's voice broke, pleading for an answer.
There was something incredibly wrong, but Kafka knew the man, despite him should have never known about Caelus' existence at all, cared for the boy so much. She really needed to confirm many things with Elio after this.
"Yes, he exist, but not 'alive'. He just hasn't been active yet." Kafka answered.
Almost immediately the dark haired replied, "Can he be actived? Does he need a Stellaron?"
"No, he doesn't need one. We just didn't see any reason to active him as both Stelle and Caelus are the same, and Elio only need one receptacle, but.." Kafka peered at him while chuckling. "Seems like it wasn't the same for you."
Slowly, the hollow on Dan Heng's face were lifted. Exhaustion and finally hit his body and he dropped down to his knee while still gripping Cloud Piercer as to not fall down completely. A quiet sobbing could be heard from the man.
"Kafka, let me meet with Caelus. I'll do anything... be it destroying the Luofu's ship, the Stellaron Hunter's script, you can ask me to kill an Aeon, tear of my skin, have Blade stab me, anything! I'll do anything! Just please... let me be with Caelus." Dan Heng hung his head down, desperately begging to Kafka.
As Kafka thinking what decision should she made, her phone suddenly rang. A message from Elio, and it seemed to be rather emergency which was rare coming from him. After reading the message, Kafka's expression change and she turned her attention back to the kneeling man in front of her in amusement. "Well, it's your lucky day, but do you mean it when you said anything?"
"Yes. As long as I can be with Caelus again.." Dan Heng had his hope crushed hundreds of times already that he didn't care what kind of fuck up things the Stellaron Hunter would ask him to as long as he could see that lovely face of Caelus again. As long as Caelus was by his side, even If this single hope would turn him into a monster, a murderer he'd take it gladly. Yeah.. as long as Caelus was his once again.
Kafka walked closer and lifted Dan Heng's face with her finger while smilling. "...Then come with me, boy."